STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: Successful excision of the exostosis within the spinal canal. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Myelopathy caused by exostosis within the spinal canal developed in a 13-year-old boy with hereditary multiple exostosis. METHODS: Spinous process-splitting laminoplasty with an ultrasonic knife was performed to remove the mass and minimize the possibility of postlaminectomy kyphosis. RESULTS: The spinal canal exostosis with cervical cord compression was excised successfully with laminoplasty. After surgery there has been no recurrence of tumor, and the stability of the cervical spine has been preserved. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of laminoplasty as a useful surgical approach for intraspinal exostosis to prevent postoperative cervical instability.
STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: Successful excision of the exostosis within the spinal canal. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Myelopathy caused by exostosis within the spinal canal developed in a 13-year-old boy with hereditary multiple exostosis. METHODS: Spinous process-splitting laminoplasty with an ultrasonic knife was performed to remove the mass and minimize the possibility of postlaminectomy kyphosis. RESULTS: The spinal canal exostosis with cervical cord compression was excised successfully with laminoplasty. After surgery there has been no recurrence of tumor, and the stability of the cervical spine has been preserved. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of laminoplasty as a useful surgical approach for intraspinal exostosis to prevent postoperative cervical instability.